Toricelli introduces pesticide bill

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Gm Staff

Sen. Torricelli (D-NJ) submitted a pesticides-in-schools amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act Authorization. The legislation, introduced in the House by Rep. Holt (D-NJ) as the School Environment Protection Act of 2001 (H.R. 111), would eliminate, within six years, uses at schools of all pesticides not deemed "least toxic.” It also would set up an advisory board of parents and others to develop the "least toxic" list.

The list ignores all safety tests performed by EPA. The legislation would redefine IPM to restrict and eliminate pesticide use, contrary to current law. However, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) submitted an alternative amendment the same day, which would honor true IPM standards without ignoring current FQPA and FIFRA law.